THE MINISTER FOR JUSTICE ALAN SHATTER CONFIRMED IN THE DÁIL YESTERDAY THAT DISTRICT COURTHOUSES IN BALLYMOTE, BOYLE, KILTIMAGH AND CLAREMORRIS ARE TO CLOSE EARLY NEXT YEAR.

HE SAID THE COURTS SERVICE BOARD LAST WEEK APPROVED THE CLOSURES.

THE DISTRICT COURTHOUSE IN BOYLE WILL BE AMALGAMATED WITH CARRICK-ON-SHANNON. CIRCUIT COURT SITTINGS IN BOYLE WILL MOVE TO ROSCOMMON TOWN. THE DISTRICT COURTHOUSE IN BALLYMOTE WILL MOVE HEARINGS TO SLIGO, WHILE COURT SERVICES FOR KILTIMAGH AND CLAREMORRIS  WILL IN FUTURE BE DEALT WITH IN CASTLEBAR.

DEFENDING THE CLOSURES, THE MINISTER  SAID THE COURTS SERVICE BOARD HAD AMALGAMATED 140 DISTRICT COURTHOUSES OVER THE PAST 12 YEARS.